The plant will continue to produce cans and kegs, with bottled product set to be shipped in from Toronto and Montreal based on demand.

According to a Molson Coors spokesperson, there are a number of factors that have led to this decision, including the large and increasing popularity of canned beer in British Columbia – with 68 percent of domestic beer in the province being sold in that format in 2013 – as well as growing craft beer sales and the increase of “government subsidies encouraging small brewer growth through tax incentives.”

Layoffs are expected, although the exact number of affected staff has yet to be confirmed by the company.